Vogler's "Archetype"

Summary
In this chapter, Vogler introduces the concept of archetypes. Common archetypes that are used in stories are the hero, the mentor, the threshold guardian, the herald, the shape shifter, the shadow, the ally, and the trickster. Storytellers and writers often choose characters that fulfill most if not all of these archetypes. However, Vogler explains that an archetype could be performed as a function of a character rather than having each character fulfilling a specific archetype. For instance, a character could act as a mentor at the beginning of the journey and turn into a shadow later in the story. Vogler also explains that the hero will often learn from each of the archetypes during their journey. Therefore, the hero accumulates traits from multiple characters. This creates the necessity to have a variation in characters and different archetypes.
Reaction
Vogler deeper elaborates on part of the overview that was introduced in his first chapter, “The Practical Guide.” This portion of Vogler’s text was easy to understand. I was at first confused about the large number of archetypes that Joseph Campbell suggested in order to explain the hero’s journey. I was wondering whether most stories really had such a large number of consequential characters. However, Vogler explains how an archetype can simply be a function of a character rather than the entire character itself. It seems to me that this technique could be valuable in modern films. The director would not have to cast as many main characters if certain characters could satisfy more than one archetype.
Reflection
This chapter on archetypes reminded me of the recent film, Lady in the Water. This film is structured around an east-Asian fairytale about water nymphs. In order to complete the story, the main character of the film must find real people that live in his apartment complex to accomplish the various roles of the story. He must find a guild, a healer, a guardian, a hero, and an interpreter to save the water nymph or messenger. Each of these characters represents an archetype. The messenger could be equivalent to the mentor. The threshold guardian could be represented by the guardian in Lady in the Water. This just goes to show that the archetypes present in Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey are vividly examined in modern films.

Questions

1. Do you think that it is effective to have archetypes as functions or should each character represent one single archetype? Why or why not?
2. What other characters in films or stories could be used to demonstrate the archetypes that Vogler explained?
3. Is it beneficial to the hero to accumulate traits from the other archetypes in the story? Why or why not?